Realizing the Promise of Evidence-Based Policymaking

The bipartisan Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking’s final report spells out several recommendations for improving data sharing and strengthening federal evidence-building capacity. The challenging work of translating and implementing these recommendations now begins. What are the key opportunities and challenges to moving the evidence agenda forward? Beyond federal policy, what are the implications for state and local government, researchers, philanthropy, and nonprofits? The Urban Institute hosted a conversation on the future of evidence-based policymaking. The event featured the chair and cochair of the commission and representatives from philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. The panel provided an overview of the recommendations and consider the report’s implications and what it will take to realize the promise of using data and evidence to increase the government’s effectiveness and efficiency.